Reducing Food Allergies in Children: Tips From the Experts

Category: Children's Health , Diet and Nutrition

The prevalence of food allergies in adults and children in the US has been steadily increasing over the last decades. Many diffferent variables contribute to food allergies including timing of food introduction, types of foods introduced, family history, pesticide and insecticide use, and use of hormones and antibiotics in the foods as well as some foods that are genetically modified.

According to the latest report published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology there are several key steps that parents can take to reduce the incidence of food allergies in their infants and young children.

1. The authors suggest that all infants be given breastmilk exclusively for the first 6 months of life. Breastmilk is the perfect food for newborn babies with the exact combination of protein, fat, and carbohydrate needed for growth and easy digestion. Breastmilk also contains high levels of immune cells that help protect the child from infection. And because the milk comes directly from the source, there is very little contamination.

2. Do not introduce any foods before the age of 4 months. I know this sounds like a repeat of the first tip, but it cannot be stressed enough. So many parents think their child needs to eat, is interested in their food, and may sleep better if you give them food. But to be frank, food should not be given to an infant before they can sit up on their own, chew or independantly move their jaw, and tell you they are finished or full. Most 4 months old infants cannot perform the above tasks. And to re-iterate: solid foods will not make them sleep better. Some studies have shown that in infants with a family history of wheat allergies that introduction between 4 and 6 months of age is best; this leads into the next tip.

3. Food introduction should be tailored to each individual child. It may be different for each sibling, and that is all right. Some children may advance quicker, some may have different susceptibilities that make it seem they are more likely to have allergies. Also as mentioned above, a family history may change how foods are added, or when they are introduced.

4. Do not give any dairy or milk products until age 12 months and no eggs until 24 months. This may seem like torture or a bit extreme to some parents. Again, each child should be evaluated on an individual basis. Dairy and egg products are two of the most allergenic foods, so avoiding them till the digestive tract is the most developed would be best.

5. Fish, nuts, and shellfish should be avoided until 36 months of age. These foods are very allergenic, and though not as common of allergies as dairy and eggs, the allergic reaction is often much stronger. Children who have allergies to nuts and shellfish will often have a severe enough reaction to visit the hospital and may never be able to eat those foods again.

6. Introduce foods one at a time. This allows parents to observe for any food reaction. Typical reactions may be redness around the mouth or anus, rash or ezcema, irritability, or indigestion. After a food has been cleared of showing no reaction, it can be readily eaten. Also make sure no to introduce mixed foods, because that makes it impossible to know which food your child is reacting to.

There you have it, six tips on reducing the occurence of food allergies in infants and children. Remember each child's needs are different and what may be best for some children will not always be the best for your child. Please discuss any issues concerning food introduction with your healthcare provider.

Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on December 20, 2013 10:00 AM